FACEBOOK TAKES ON FOURSQUARE -- Facebook Places “enables people to share where they are, find out where their friends are and discover new places. Places is available now in the U.S. on the Facebook for iPhone app and our mobile site for advanced mobile devices, touch.facebook.com. … Unless a person specifically changes their privacy settings only their friends will see where they have ‘checked in’.” Facebook blog post http://bit.ly/b8AR86 Screenshots http://bit.ly/cdtqOAhttp://bit.ly/d2YQ4thttp://bit.ly/cfRy37 Mashable coverage http://bit.ly/bnf7o5

FIRST LOOK – GQ correspondent Lisa DePaulo, on Joe Scarborough (“Thank You for Not Screaming”): “[H]e's the conservative liberals suddenly think is swell … Morning Joe has become the best and most buzzed-about political show on television … The show was entirely Joe's idea. He had this crazy notion that viewers wanted something more civilized than the usual screamfests … Everything was a battle, including the hiring of his best friend, a talented producer named Chris Licht, as executive producer. ... ‘At every stop [on book tours],’ says Joe, ‘they just thank us. They say, 'Thank you for just talking. Thank you for not screaming.’” With Louis Burgdorf cameo http://bit.ly/cH2oC4

--AFP/Baghdad: “The last US combat brigade pulled out of Iraq at dawn on Thursday, a key milestone in the withdrawal of American forces more than seven years after the US-led invasion ousted dictator Saddam Hussein. Under the cover of dark, the 4th Stryker Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, crossed the border into neighbouring Kuwait ahead of the planned declaration of an end to US combat operations in Iraq by an Aug. 31 deadline.”

--FLASHBACK – President George W. Bush, the Oval Office, 10:15 p.m., March 19, 2003: “My fellow citizens, at this hour, American and coalition forces are in the early stages of military operations to disarm Iraq, to free its people, and to defend the world from grave danger. On my orders, coalition forces have begun striking selected targets of military importance to undermine Saddam Hussein's ability to wage war. … I assure you, this will not be a campaign of half measures, and we will accept no outcome but victory. … May God bless our country and all who defend her.” http://bit.ly/a6eJkP

CABLE CATNIP – Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life: “A substantial and growing number of Americans say that Barack Obama is a Muslim, while the proportion saying he is a Christian has declined. … [A] plurality of the public says they do not know what religion Obama follows. A new national survey by the Pew Research Center finds that … 18% now say Obama is a Muslim … Only about one-third of adults (34%) say Obama is a Christian, down sharply from 48% in 2009. Fully 43% say they do not know what Obama’s religion is. The survey was completed in early August, before Obama’s recent comments about the proposed construction of a mosque near the site of the former World Trade Center. … The share of Republicans who say Obama is a Muslim has nearly doubled over the past year and a half – from 17% to 31%.” http://bit.ly/9oQet0

--TIME cover, “Is America Islamophobic?” -- Deputy International Editor Bobby Ghosh: “According to Ihsan Bagby, an Islamic studies professor at the University of Kentucky, there are now 1,900 mosques in the U.S., up from about 1,200 in 2001. Many of these are no more than makeshift prayer rooms in shops and offices, but when Muslim groups set out to build formal mosques, they become more exposed and vulnerable.” Billy Graham’s son, Franklin Graham, tells TIME that Islam “is a religion of hatred. It’s a religion of war.” Cover image http://politi.co/a9d1om

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Good Thursday morning. EXCLUSIVE – DEBT COMMISSION’S BIG RECOMMENDATION MAY COVER SOCIAL SECURITY: President Obama’s 18-member fiscal-responsibility commission, headed by Alan Simpson and Erskine Bowles, is to report recommendations to Congress by Dec. 1. The administration hears that a group of commission members is relatively optimistic about coming together around a package on Social Security. It’s not clear what terms would work politically – what could get through the Congress. But there’s some optimism that commission members can find a way to do that. It’s less clear what they might do on other dimensions of the long-term deficit problem (14 votes are needed to report a recommendation), although they may find smaller coalitions that are bipartisan for approaches to constrain spending growth.

--ADMINISTRATION MINDMELD: The virtue of action on Social Security is that it demonstrates the ability to begin to affect the long-run deficits. Social Security isn’t the biggest contributor to the problem – that’s still health-care costs. But ti could help a little bit, buy time, and strengthens the odds of a political consensus behind other spending cuts or tax increases. Most importantly, it would establish more CREDIBILITY with the MARKETS. The mood of the world at the moment (slightly excessive, from the administration’s point of view) is that if you don’t do anything with spending cuts, it doesn’t get you credibility.

EXCLUSIVE – The White House would love to back additional stimulus (although it wouldn’t be called that), perhaps around infrastructure spending (modernizing roads, bridges, airports). But the administration doesn’t see anything passing this fall.

--ADMINISTRATION MINDMELD: We’re looking at a whole range of potential measures. We keep looking at the conventional arsenal of tax and expenditure stuff all the time. And we look at new things that you could justify as good bang for the buck, responsible fiscally and feasible politically. But we can’t tell how to alter the current political constraints. RIGHT NOW, NOTHING IS POSSIBLE, except maybe the small-business package. People aren’t happy with how strong the economy is, and are worried about unemployment. But moderate Senate Rs and Ds don’t believe in the efficacy of most government efforts to mitigate that. Even where they do, they don’t want to do it without paying for them. And they don’t want to pay for anything.

TOP TALKER – “The most powerful man in GOP politics,” by Jim VandeHei, Andy Barr and Kenneth P. Vogel: “Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour is the most powerful Republican in American politics -- at least for the next three months. Barbour, who runs the Republican Governors Association, has more money to spend on the 2010 elections -- $40 million – than any other GOP leader around. And in private, numerous Republicans describe Barbour as the de facto chairman of the party. It’s not just because he controls the RGA kitty but rather it’s due to close relationships with everyone who matters in national GOP politics—operatives like Karl Rove, Ed Gillespie and other top Republicans running or raising cash for a network of outside political groups. Together, these groups are essential to Republican hopes of regaining power because Democrats are cleaning their clocks through more traditional fundraising efforts. The political class, in particular, is consumed with Barbour’s behind-the-scenes endeavors—this week with the $1 million he got from Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp.

--“Yet the reality is that Barbour has been uniquely adept at leveraging concerns about President Obama into huge contributions from many others. Bob Perry, the Texas businessman who funded the Swift Boat attacks in the 2004 campaigns, has given more than twice as much as News Corp. Barbour’s stature has grown at the expense of cash-strapped, gaffe-prone Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele … … Barbour’s power is derived from his ability to tilt gubernatorial and statehouse races with his RGA funds. … Barbour’s clout is also derived from his serious interest in running for president in 2012, a point he is making clear in private conversations. His logic, one adviser told POLITICO, is simple: when he surveys what most Republicans consider to be a weak field, he sees no reason he couldn’t easily beat them. He’s a better strategist and fund-raiser than any other candidate currently considering running – and just as good on television and in debates, his thinking goes. … ‘A year ago he was saying no way, but now he’s saying to [donors and operatives] to keep their powder dry,’ [one] friend said …

“But the obstacles to a Barbour candidacy are substantial. A portly, southern conservative who represented tobacco firms and made millions building a lobbying firm isn’t the ideal profile for a Republican nominee in this or any political environment. … Barbour is assembling an elaborate fundraising operation beyond the RGA that would prove essential if he were to run. There is talk in GOP circles that with all the money shifting between the RGA and state parties – and Barbour moving so much cash through his own separate operations – he runs the risk of attracting legal challenges after the 2010 race. For now, though, he’s just attracting a lot of cash. … Barbour has a huge advantage over Republicans in Washington when it comes to raising money. The RGA is a 527 organization, which unlike the RNC or the federal PACs, can raise money in unlimited sums from individuals and corporations, the latter of which have been barred since 2002 from giving to party committees. That’s enabled drug makers and energy companies, for example, to give millions to Barbour’s RGA.” http://bit.ly/bW9gMg

NEW THIS MORNING – “BEAU BIDEN-INTERVEW: Beau Biden back on the campaign trail after stroke,” by AP’s Randall Chase, in Dover, Del.: “Three months after he was sidelined by a mild stroke, Beau Biden is back to jogging three to four times a week … The eldest son of Vice President Joe Biden is campaigning hard for re-election as Delaware's attorney general, even though he has no Republican opponent. ‘I've got to earn this job again,’ he says while sipping coffee at a downtown Dover newsstand. But he remains coy about his long-range plans, specifically whether he is eyeing a 2014 bid for the Senate seat long held by his father. ‘I'm focusing on being a great attorney general,’ said Biden, who decided against running this year for the remaining four years of the term his father gave up to become vice president. … For Biden, the health scare is a reminder that he needs to balance his job with spending as much time as he can with his family — advice he encourages others to follow. ‘It's kind of reinforced how I've operated my life,’ said Biden, 41.” http://bit.ly/bpOKOH

MOVING TO NYC -- PETER REID, vice president for strategy and external affairs with the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and former spokesman for the British Foreign Office in London and the British Embassy in D.C., has been appointed chief of staff to Mati Kochavi, founder and CEO of AGT International. AGT International is a privately-held group of companies that provides high technology security systems to protect critical assets, facilities and infrastructure worldwide.

POPPING ONLINE, by Tim Alberta:

--Drudge banner, with shot of Nancy Pelosi, “INVESTIGATE MOSQUE CRITICS” – links to Washington Times story by Kerry Picket: “House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, California Democrat, called for an investigation of those who are protesting the building of the ground zero mosque on Tuesday. She told San Francisco's KCBS radio: ‘There is no question there is a concerted effort to make this a political issue by some. And I join those who have called for looking into how ... this opposition to the mosque is being funded,’ she said.” Story w/ video http://bit.ly/bXKqIE

--HuffPo banner, with three-way split shot of Sarah Palin, the constitution and Dr. Laura, “’DON’T RETREAT … RELOAD’?!?’” – HuffPo story: “Sarah Palin has used Twitter to share some advice with Dr. Laura Schlessinger, the talk radio host who apologized and decided to retire from her highly-rated program after using the N-word on the air 11 times in 5 minutes. Palin's advice: ‘don't retreat...reload!’ http://huff.to/bSH4ZK

--TPMDC headline, with shot of Howard Dean, “Howard Dean Says Cordoba House Should Be Built Somewhere Else” – Eric Kleefeld: “Another very prominent Democrat now says the planned Cordoba House Muslim community center in New York City should be moved away from the vicinity of Ground Zero: Former Democratic National Committee chairman and ex-presidential candidate Howard Dean. ‘I've gotta believe there has to be a compromise here,’ Dean said during a radio interview. ‘This isn't about the right of Muslims to have a worship center, or Jews or Christians or anybody else to have a place to worship, or any place around Ground Zero. This is something we ought to be able to work out with people of good faith.’” http://bit.ly/bzlzhx

COMMENTATOR CROSSFIRE:

--Margaret Carlson, Bloomberg, “Smart President Flunks Test at Ground Zero”: “How can President Barack Obama be so right about the mosque and yet get it so wrong? Here’s how: He is so supremely confident in his intellect that he forgets, on his way to the correct decision, to slow down and pick up not-so-gifted stragglers. … He’s an intellectual comfortable with abstractions … When convinced he’s right -- which is often -- he turns his head at the podium to the right and left, gazing above his audience into the near distance, chin elevated, and makes his pronouncement about what is just and reasonable. We are expected to nod. With the mosque, he didn’t bother with feelings when he saw that the U.S. Constitution and facts were on his side.” http://bit.ly/aO5Hal

--Peter Skerry in the Boston Globe, “The real debate is among Muslims”: “The mosque near ground zero should be built, but not merely on account of the lofty principles about religious freedom articulated by New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg. … A more compelling argument for building the mosque is to get beyond the current controversy, because it empowers the most opportunistic elements in the Muslim community and fosters an us-versus-them mentality that stalls a much-needed debate among Muslims about their place in American society.” http://bit.ly/bL0GQY

BUSINESS BURST – FT A1, “GM filing begins road back to market,” by John Reed: “General Motors … began its return to public ownership when it filed for an initial public offering in New York and Toronto. GM said the number of shares and the price range for the IPO had not yet been determined, but the issue is expected to be one of the largest in history. It could raise between $12bn and $16bn from selling common stock representing about a fifth of existing equity holders’ ownership, according to people familiar with the matter. The carmaker is also expected to sell about $3bn of mandatory convertible securities, those people added. This will raise new money for the company.”

SPORTS BLINK – AP, “Jets' Ryan: Dungy 'unfairly judged'”: “Rex Ryan wants Tony Dungy to know he's more than just a foul-mouthed coach. Dungy criticized the New York Jets coach earlier this week for his Rex-pletive-filled appearance on the premiere episode of HBO's ‘Hard Knocks.’ ‘The thing is, I've been a big admirer of Tony Dungy, and I'm sure a lot of people are,’ Ryan said Wednesday. ‘I felt that he unfairly judged me, and that was disappointing to me.’ … Ryan said he called Dungy and left a message that included his telephone number, and anticipated hearing back from him. ‘I've invited him to come to camp or any time to spend the day with me and the organization,’ Ryan said. ‘I think maybe he'll have a different take on it.’” http://bit.ly/dgmzZV

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and be ready to hear the wrath of the young american who has paid the FULL price to date for what the GOP is trying to take away. there will be riots if you touch these benefits we have already paid into.

Mornin' Cali! On your screed against President Obama, to wit; Thomas Jefferson was the President, The city of Tunis dates back to the 7th century, mentions of Tunisia date back to 1159. Collectively They were known as the Barbary States and eventually we went to war with them, most notably Tripoli, because we refused to continue paying tribute (bribes, protection money) as was the custom for hundreds of years and by many other nations. So, this is the first time these United States decided to play the worlds' policemen. It's a great history. However I do concede that Obama glossed over the reason for the Ambassadors visit from Tunisia, we had set up a blockade and captured some of their ships and they wanted compensation (tribute), and they wanted to go back to way things had been done ( conservatives ) but Jefferson being a Democratic-Republican (his word, not mine) went against policy and precedent and delivered his now famous statement ...but wait!!! It was Senator Robert Goodloe Harper from Maryland who said "Millions for defense, but not one cent for tribute"... in any case Tripoli is who we really went to war with twice, Tunisia had other fish to fry as it were... But in closing President Jefferson timed the previously mentioned dinner to accommodate the celebration of Ramadan, and therefore an Iftar dinner.

Now I would be remiss if I did not mention the heroic efforts of one Commodore Stephen Decatur, arguably Americas first hero. "Given command of the brig Argus in 1803, he took it to the Mediterranean for service in the First Barbary War against Tripoli. Once in the combat zone, Lieutenant Decatur commanded the schooner Enterprise and, on 23 December 1803, captured the enemy ketch Mastico. That vessel, taken into the U.S. Navy under the name Intrepid, was used by Decatur on 16 February 1804 to execute a night raid into Tripoli harbor to destroy the U.S. frigate Philadelphia, which had been captured after running aground at the end of October 1803. Admiral Lord Nelson is said to have called this "the most bold and daring act of the Age". This daring and extremely successful operation made Lieutenant Decatur an immediate national hero, a status that was enhanced by his courageous conduct during the 3 August 1804 bombardment of Tripoli. In that action, he led his men in hand-to-hand fighting while boarding and capturing an enemy gunboat. Decatur was subsequently promoted to the rank of captain, and over the next eight years had command of several frigates." [edit]

Social Security benefits should be based first and foremost on means testing. If someone has 80 million dollars cash in the bank, they don't need a safety net! The same goes for Medi caid/care, this idea is nothing new, it just needs to be implemented with common sense. John Boehner has even hinted around at something similar, of course if President Obama says he's in favor of it then Boehner will vote against it. And then Fox News will label it communism (as part of the No Journalists at Fox News conspiracy), and because we don't have any guidelines for truth in news and disseminated media, people won't know who to believe. So nothing will get done, the same hypocritical liars will get re-elected and China will Become the world's largest economy.

W...check your mail. I remembered that I forgot that it was TJ rather than AJ..and mailed you accordingly (...at like.....midnight my time)......so ya got me on that one, but I got myself first, so I win (..as dictator, I'm allowed). I 'was' a tad bit off, but in my defense, I was doing it from memory. The Prez was completely off, and he has historians on his staff to help fact check. The suggestion that TJ was eating smoked salmon with the Muslim guy as a celebration of Ramadan is about the same as saying that guys with guns and masks in a bank are practicing up for Halloween. It's certainly possible, but I'm thinking 'not likely'. That said, you are totally right about the times back then. Bold men (...and probably a few girls) doing amazing and crazy things. Kinda like today with bold men...and tons of girls...doing amazing and crazy things in defense of moderate Islam against the non-moderate version of Islam. I sure hope the Prez is right about pulling out of Iraq. I mean..he must be...right? 'Cause he 'thinks' he's right, and that's the same thing as 'being' right, right? Anyhow, I was dreading popping in here this morning because I knew you'd catch me on my little canard. So, what's the grade for me? A-? B+? How about the Prez? Heck, he lives in the house where it happened (.....I think. If not, he's much closer...so he should know). How do you grade him? C-? D+?

W...check your mail. I remembered that I forgot that it was TJ rather than AJ..and mailed you accordingly (...at like.....midnight my time)......so ya got me on that one, but I got myself first, so I win (..as dictator, I'm allowed). I 'was' a tad bit off, but in my defense, I was doing it from memory. The Prez was completely off, and he has historians on his staff to help fact check. The suggestion that TJ was eating smoked salmon with the Muslim guy as a celebration of Ramadan is about the same as saying that guys with guns and masks in a bank are practicing up for Halloween. It's certainly possible, but I'm thinking 'not likely'. That said, you are totally right about the times back then. Bold men (...and probably a few girls) doing amazing and crazy things. Kinda like today with bold men...and tons of girls...doing amazing and crazy things in defense of moderate Islam against the non-moderate version of Islam. I sure hope the Prez is right about pulling out of Iraq. I mean..he must be...right? 'Cause he 'thinks' he's right, and that's the same thing as 'being' right, right? Anyhow, I was dreading popping in here this morning because I knew you'd catch me on my little canard. So, what's the grade for me? A-? B+? How about the Prez? Heck, he lives in the house where it happened (.....I think. If not, he's much closer...so he should know). How do you grade him? C-? D+?

W...check your mail. I remembered that I forgot that it was TJ rather than AJ..and mailed you accordingly (...at like.....midnight my time)......so ya got me on that one, but I got myself first, so I win (..as dictator, I'm allowed). I 'was' a tad bit off, but in my defense, I was doing it from memory. The Prez was completely off, and he has historians on his staff to help fact check. The suggestion that TJ was eating smoked salmon with the Muslim guy as a celebration of Ramadan is about the same as saying that guys with guns and masks in a bank are practicing up for Halloween. It's certainly possible, but I'm thinking 'not likely'. That said, you are totally right about the times back then. Bold men (...and probably a few girls) doing amazing and crazy things. Kinda like today with bold men...and tons of girls...doing amazing and crazy things in defense of moderate Islam against the non-moderate version of Islam. I sure hope the Prez is right about pulling out of Iraq. I mean..he must be...right? 'Cause he 'thinks' he's right, and that's the same thing as 'being' right, right? Anyhow, I was dreading popping in here this morning because I knew you'd catch me on my little canard. So, what's the grade for me? A-? B+? How about the Prez? Heck, he lives in the house where it happened (.....I think. If not, he's much closer...so he should know). How do you grade him? C-? D+?

Did JournOlist miss the jobs report? Mr. Allen, how is that you were snookered into supporting a conspiracy that couldn't even work? Should the JournOlist conspirators go to jail for fraud and conspiracy, or should we put you in prison for criminal stupidity?

Hey Cali! I give us all an F. We're talking about an inconsequential minor gaff on the President's part, when we should be talking about how to cut entitlement spending that we don't need, and how to raise revenue for expenditures that must be funded. Cali, it's obvious to me that you are very well read, very intelligent, and quite witty... the republicans do not deserve you. Come over to the dark side, join with me, help us forge a new alliance of patriotic Americans with clear cut goals and fresh ideas to help Lady Liberty rise from the ashes of her burnt out ideas of the past!

Uh... hey rainmaker, that's last weeks conspiracy, now it's "No Journalists at Fox News" because they gave 1 million cash to the republicans and they won't talk about it! They are taking over the world! Right wing talking points are all anybody's discussing! John Boehner is turning into an alien (is that illegal?) right in front of our eyes!

W....is that flattery I detect? As a point of minor correction, I am witty first and foremost, and only semi-well read. Of course, you are completely correct on my being intelligent, but then again, it takes one to know one. Anyhow, though inconsequential, it 'is' entertaining, and in all my vast free time, I prefer fun to non-fun. I don't do many's and pedy's (....not sure if that's how you spell them) and I don't like crowds, so I'm stuck reading the news and trying (...it's no effort for me) to be clever here. I also have minor goals, like getting Mike Allen to actually contribute to his own blog. ...and I don't get an F...cause I voted for McCain.....hahaha. OK, OK...I know...that whole Palin thing. Look..she's cute.....and that's what matters. Oh..and she can handle weapons. That's important too. Hey..have 'you' ever tried to hit something from a moving helicopter? Though I've never tried, I think it's probably pretty hard....unless you're Billy Zane (What movie is that from? Impress me!). Anyhow, I think 'you' should come on over to my side. We'll either win or lose in '12, but if there are a whole lot of you out there, there will be a whole lotta Obama in '12. As a group, Libertarians aren't losers, but politically, alas...they are. Prove me wrong and poll above 5% sometime, and I'll consider your petition for enrollment. Oh..and don't forget the shrubbery.

I must admit I was quite enthralled by the heroic exploits of Commodore Decatur... a genuine American bad a22. The independents are on on the rise, Arlen Spectre not withstanding... Look at Charlie Crist! I'm tellin ya kid, we got a chance! We could be a contender! Alas I've lived on the dark side too long, I have tasted forbidden fruit, I can't go back to the old ways, but I agree we need some hot chicks to get things goin' for the Libertarians...

OMG!!! CHARLIE CRIST!!!! W....have you been DRINKING??? Well..I take that back. All real men drink...so the question is..."HOW MUCH HAVE YOU BEEN DRINKING!!!" Charlie's middle name is 'Opportunist'. It's clear he "Has no code!" (Again...what movie. Second chance to impress me!). Besides, I trust on-one that looks like anyone from MadMen. 'You' don't look like anyone from that show, do you?

As for me, I look like a morph of Danny Devito (Cept taller...and less bald...and no mullet) and Micky Rourke (...after boxing and surgery...and way older)

Hey, c'mon a little nip for lunch .... I've got a lot of friends in Fl. it's also where I vacation, Crist has been a good Governor by all accounts, veto'd bad bills, stood up when he could, and he said right off the bat give Fl. the stimulus money. Lot's of other Republican Gov's took the money after they said what a horrible idea it was, I'll take an opportunist over a hypocrite any day. My wife kinda looks like Christina Hendricks... I've been told I look like a skinny Bocephus, but I like Rock & Roll, and even some heavy metal. Sheen father & son flick? Zane in Sniper.

PS. I had to look up Christina Hendrix...(I don't watch Madmen...the wife does). I was scared I'd see Jimi Hendrix's sister...and then have to make fun of you. YIKES...You're a lucky guy!!!! She's the best one on that show!

Luck has nothing to do with it, "chance favors the prepared mind" Bocephus (Bo see fuss)is Hank Williams Jr.s nick name... Now what are we going to do about this runaway entitlement spending!?!?!? Why do millionaires need Government handouts?